Dietary chlorophyllin abrogates TGFβ signaling to modulate the hallmark capabilities of cancer in an animal model of forestomach carcinogenesis

The Structure, Functions and Potential Medicinal Effects of Chlorophylls Derived from Microalgae

Microalgae are considered to be natural producers of bioactive pigments, with the production of pigments from microalgae being a sustainable and economical strategy that promises to alleviate growing demand. Chlorophyll, as the main pigment of photosynthesis, has been widely studied, but its medicinal applications as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor reagent are still poorly understood. Chlorophyll is the most important pigment in plants and algae, which not only provides food for organisms throughout the biosphere, but also plays an important role in a variety of human and man-made applications. The biological activity of chlorophyll is closely related to its chemical structure; its specific structure offers the possibility for its medicinal applications. This paper reviews the structural and functional roles of microalgal chlorophylls, commonly used extraction methods, and recent advances in medicine, to provide a theoretical basis for the standardization and commercial production and application of chlorophylls.

Induced Cell Death as a Possible Pathway of Antimutagenic Action

The existing concepts of antimutagenesis are briefly reviewed. Published reports on antimutagenic and proapoptotic properties of some polyphenols and compounds of other chemical groups obtained in representative in vitro and in vivo experiments on eukaryotic test systems are discussed. The relationships between the antimutagenic and proapoptotic properties of the analyzed compounds (naringin, apigenin, resveratrol, curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, etc.) are considered in favor of the hypothesis on induced cell death as an antimutagenic tool.

Sodium copper chlorophyllin attenuates adenine-induced chronic kidney disease via suppression of TGF-beta and inflammatory cytokines

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding 0.3% w/w adenine diet for 28 days. After induction, animals were treated with sodium copper chlorophyllin at dose 2.7, 5.4, and 10.8 mg/kg for the next 28 days. The biochemical and urines parameters like creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin, total protein creatinine clearance, urea clearance, and glomerular filtration rate were assessed on days 0, 14, and 28. Plasma TGF-β1, COX-2, and IL-6 levels were assessed. Various oxidative stress parameters and TGF-β1 expression were determined in the kidney. Histopathology of the kidney was studied with different stains. Sodium copper chlorophyllin-treated animals showed a significant reduction in urine output and relative kidney weight. The treatment with sodium copper chlorophyllin significantly improved kidney function by normalizing biochemical and urine parameters. Treatment with SCC significantly reduced circulatory inflammatory mediators-TGF-β1, COX-2, and IL-6. Additionally, the treatment also significantly reduced oxidative stress and TGF-β1 expression in kidney tissues. Histopathology studies showed inhibition in the kidney damage due to the treatment of SCC. The sodium copper chlorophyllin treatment attenuated adenine-induced chronic kidney disease in rats.

Chlorophyllin Modulates Gut Microbiota and Inhibits Intestinal Inflammation to Ameliorate Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice

Liver fibrosis is an abnormal wound healing response and a common consequence of chronic liver diseases from infection or alcohol/xenobiotic exposure. At the cellular level, liver fibrosis is mediated by trans-differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which is driven by persistent hepatic and systemic inflammation. However, impaired enterohepatic circulation and gut dysbiosis may indirectly contribute to the liver fibrogenesis. The composition of the gut microbiota depends on diet composition and host factors. In this study, we examined chlorophyllin, derived from green pigment chlorophyll, on gut microbiota, the intestinal mucosal barrier, and liver fibrosis. BALB/c mice received carbon tetrachloride through intraperitoneal injection to induce liver fibrosis and chlorophyllin was administrated in drinking water. The effects of chlorophyllin on liver fibrosis were evaluated for (1) survival rate, (2) hepatic morphologic analysis, (3) inflammatory factors in both the small intestine and liver, and (4) gut microbiota. Our results indicate that oral administration of chlorophyllin could attenuate intestinal and hepatic inflammation and ameliorate liver fibrosis. Importantly, oral administration of chlorophyllin promptly rebalanced the gut microbiota, exhibiting down-regulation of the phylum Firmicutes and up-regulation of the phylum Bacteroidetes. In vitro experiments on intestinal epithelial cells showed that chlorophyllin exposure could inhibit NF-κB pathway via IKK-phosphorylation suppression. In conclusion, this study demonstrates potential application of chlorophyllin to regulate the intestinal microbiota and ameliorate hepatic fibrosis.

Chemopreventive potential of chlorophyllin: a review of the mechanisms of action and molecular targets

Chlorophyllin (CHL), a water soluble semisynthetic derivative of the ubiquitous plant pigment chlorophyll used as a food additive, is recognized to confer a wide range of health benefits. CHL has been shown to exhibit potent antigenotoxic, anti-oxidant, and anticancer effects. Numerous experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that dietary supple-mentation of CHL lowers the risk of cancer. CHL inhibits cancer initiation and progression by targeting multiple molecules and pathways involved in the metabolism of carcinogens, cell cycle progression, apoptosis evasion, invasion, and angiogenesis. The modulatory effects of CHL on the hallmark capabilities of cancer appear to be mediated via abrogation of key oncogenic signal transduction pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B, Wnt/β-catenin, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling. This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of the anticancer effects of dietary CHL.